The last few days have been spent in the company of my good friend Mr. T, a traditional sign-writer, black and white photographer and dealer in transport memorabilia. Looking around his main workshop in Lymington is like stepping into a living museum.....  

There aren't many sign-writers left working in the traditional way with everything painted by hand, much of it judged purely by eye, using skills and a keen knowledge of lettering styles that only comes with years and years of practice. Last year Mr. T was invited to become a tutor in sign-writing at West Dean College.

 There are collections of old tins, books and other motoring accoutrements on every shelf.....

The painted board cut-out of a blue van is a painting by Mr.T of an actual old Ford van that he owns and uses as a mobile advertisement for his sign-writing business. 

Old toffee and sweet tins, cigarette tins, etc...

model cars and trucks....

vintage cameras.....

 boating souvenirs...

an old Triang toy truck...

oil cans...

 As well as doing traditional work such as pub and shop signs, house names, and advertisement boards, Mr.T also specialises in coach lining and body paint-work of vintage vehicles. He has painted steam traction engines, classic sports cars and even an old oil tanker. Below is one of his paintings copied from an old gasoline advertisement sign.

The building his workshop occupies was originally a coach house for stabling horses. When he acquired it the place was full of pigeons and had fallen into complete disrepair. An awful lot of hard graft has transformed it into a very cosy and atmospheric place to be. 

Tomorrow I head off to The Weald and Downland Museum to set up my stand ready for the Spring Food and Countryside Show, happening on Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday. If any of you lovely readers are in the area and fancy a day out then do pop into the craft marquee and say hello!

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